Critical Review of Scientific Literature



Critical Review of Scientific Literature

Assessment Activity for Upper Division Geology Courses

(Mineralogy, Igneous/Metamorphic/Sedimentary Petrology, Structural Geology…)

Assignment

[DATE]

Dear Colleague:

I am writing to request your review of the attached manuscript, [Title, by Authors], which has been submitted for publication to [Geological Society of America Bulletin/American Mineralogist]. The quality and integrity of the scientific enterprise is built on the foundation of peer review, and I and the authors will highly value receiving your careful, insightful, and constructive review of this manuscript.

The review criteria and guidelines for the [Geological Society of America Bulletin/American Mineralogist] are provided in the accompanying document. In addition to these guidelines, I am particularly interested in your assessment of the article with respect to these topics:

• Why is this topic interesting and what contribution has been made in light of your understanding of the existing state of knowledge on this subject?

• Can you readily identify the central hypothesis? Have appropriate tests been applied to confirm or reject this hypothesis?

• Are observations and other data clearly separated from interpretation?

• Are all the figures, important and useful? Please make a special effort to comment on the use and interpretation of data presented in the figures in this manuscript.

• Is the treatment of this subject consistent with your own understanding of the principles of [Mineralogy, Igneous/Metamorphic/Sedimentary Petrology, Structural Geology…]?

• Based on your reading of this manuscript, what parts are unclear, and what new questions arise based on this current presentation?

• What additional advice can you offer to help improve the clarity of this manuscript? Is any part of the manuscript extraneous and can be deleted? Are there areas where more information or context is needed?

• Is the manuscript appropriately referenced? Are any key references missing?

Your written review will be appreciated by [DUE DATE]. Please key your comments to specific pages/headings and figures in the text. Responses to the review criteria provided by the journal, and your own narrative comments are required. Thank you in advance for your willingness to complete this review.

Sincerely,

[NAME]

Professor

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